Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control - Chapter 145

On the spirit boat.

Inside the cabin.

“Ouch.”

Yuan Kouxuan stepped forward in a panic, quickly clamping Qin Kewan’s arm to stop her from moving, “Master, what did Wan’er eat?”

“I’m not sure yet. Just hold her still so I can check.”

Xu Yang placed his hand on Qin Kewan’s abdomen, sending his magic power into her dantian to examine her condition.

“Wow, another big spiritual fruit! But it doesn’t smell as good.”

“You move aside first. I’ll eat you later. Hey, why are your roots wrapping around my hand? Are you insisting that I eat you?”

“I’ve never seen such a stubborn spiritual fruit before!”

“Let go of me now, or I’ll tickle you!”

Qin Kewan struggled against Yuan Kouxuan’s grip, clearly convinced that she was dealing with an unruly spiritual fruit.

Yuan Kouxuan suddenly felt a pinch on her lower back and her face turned crimson with embarrassment.

“Your spiritual fruit is so soft and elastic; it must taste—”

Qin Kewan stopped mid-sentence as a warm current surged from her dantian, spreading throughout her body. The overwhelming sensation silenced her. Sleepiness quickly overtook her, and her entire body went limp as she collapsed against Yuan Kouxuan and passed out.

Yuan Kouxuan caught her and, with a perplexed expression, turned to her master, “Master, what’s wrong with Wan’er?”

“She accidentally ate the Heavenly Phantom Spirit Fruit. It reflects one’s inner thoughts. Normally, it’s used for enlightenment practice, but Little Five… well, she treated it as food.”

Xu Yang wiped the saliva from his face with a mix of exasperation and disgust.

Thanks to his mastery of the Nirvana Treasure Technique, Xu Yang had also gained a deep understanding of alchemy. He immediately recognized the symptoms associated with the Heavenly Phantom Spirit Fruit. This rare fruit was a key ingredient in the long-lost Heavenly Phantom Pill, which doubled the efficiency of enlightenment practice.

He sighed, realizing why Qin Kewan didn’t recognize it. The recipe for the Heavenly Phantom Pill had been lost in ancient times, and the fruit itself only appeared once every few thousand years.

“Pfft!”

Yuan Kouxuan couldn’t hold back her laughter. Her smile softened her usually cold demeanor, giving her the ethereal beauty of a snow lotus blooming on a mountaintop.

“Master, Wan’er is such a foodie. Staying on the spirit boat these past few days must have made her even hungrier than usual.”

“Forget it,” Xu Yang replied, shaking his head. “The Heavenly Phantom Spirit Fruit consumes a lot of soul energy. She’ll likely stay unconscious until we return to the sect.”

He waved dismissively. “Xuan’er, take her to her room to rest.”

“Okay, Master.”

Yuan Kouxuan’s eyes sparkled with an unreadable emotion as she carried Qin Kewan to her room.

…

Shortly after returning, Yuan Kouxuan reappeared, having carefully laid Qin Kewan down to rest. She walked toward Xu Yang and, without hesitation, removed her dress.

The garment, decorated with intricate Spring and Autumn patterns, caught Xu Yang’s attention. He stepped closer to inspect it.

“Does it look good?” Yuan Kouxuan asked casually, presenting the dress to her master.

“It looks good. I’d like to eat it,” Xu Yang quipped, his expression utterly shameless.

“Master,” Yuan Kouxuan teased with a playful pout, “I think Purple Cloud Peak has two foodies. Not just Wan’er—you’re one too!”

“Who told Xuan’er to be so beautiful?”

“?!”

Yuan Kouxuan’s face turned crimson, as red as a ripe spiritual fruit.

Seeing his eldest disciple flustered, Xu Yang chuckled. He reached out, pulled her into his arms, and gazed down at her. His tone softened as he praised her, “Xuan’er, your painting skills have improved again. These mandarin ducks look so lifelike…”

“But?” Yuan Kouxuan prompted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Even so,” Xu Yang continued with a smile, “no painting can compare to one ten-thousandth of Xuan’er’s beauty.”

“Master…” Yuan Kouxuan murmured, her cheeks growing impossibly redder.

Qingming Sect.

The main peak of the sect: Qingming Hall.

Ji Hongluan sat lazily in the main hall, her purple skirt flowing loosely over her plump figure. A hosta was casually tucked into her hair, and her jade-like arms rested lightly on the chair’s armrests. Cradling Little Flower in her lap, she gazed outside with an air of boredom, muttering to herself, “Didn’t that scoundrel say he was already on his way back?”

“It’s been so many days. Why hasn’t he returned to the sect yet?”

“Was he lying to me? Could it be that he was seduced by those fairy saints and immortals in White Emperor City? So enchanted that he can’t pull himself away from their gentle embrace?”

Her thoughts trailed off, and her expression became more annoyed.

“Meow meow,” came a soft sound from the cat in her arms.

The little creature seemed to comment on the situation, as if suggesting, Isn’t White Emperor City far from Qingming Sect? It’s normal for him to take a while to return.

“As if I don’t know that,” Ji Hongluan retorted, patting the creature’s head in irritation.

Little Flower protested indignantly, “Meow meow!”

“So what if I know? Can’t I complain a little?”

“You’re just a little kitten; what could you possibly understand? I’m just…” Ji Hongluan hesitated, her cheeks reddening slightly as she cut herself off.

At that moment, a faint noise echoed from outside the hall.

“Hmm?”

Her demeanor changed immediately. She pulled the hosta from her hair, re-tucked it with precision, and adjusted her slightly disheveled locks. Straightening her clothes, she moved to sit upright on the central chair. Her eyes brightened, and a subtle smile played on her lips as she thought to herself: That rascal must have finally returned. I’ll let him off easy this time.

However, when the figure entered the hall, it wasn’t Xu Yang but the Qingming Guard. Her fleeting smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a composed and indifferent expression.

“What’s the matter?” she asked, her tone cool.

The Qingming Guard knelt on one knee and lowered his head respectfully.

“Reporting to the sect master, a delegation from the Ji family of the hidden immortal clan has arrived, requesting an audience.”

The Ji family?

What could they want at this time?

Ji Hongluan’s thoughts raced. Could it be that they’ve heard of Xu Yang’s feats in White Emperor City and want to bring him into their fold as a follower?

Her expression turned icy, a sharp and dangerous glint flashing in her eyes.

“Invite them in,” she said coldly.

“Yes!”

The Qingming Guard felt a shiver run down his spine. For a moment, he thought he sensed a trace of killing intent emanating from the sect leader, sending chills through his body.

Does the sect master hold a grudge against the Ji family? he wondered.

That shouldn’t be the case, he thought, confused. As far as he knew, the sect master was a descendant of the Ji family.

Then a thought struck him, sending his mind into turmoil.

Could it be… is the Ji family here to seize control of the Qingming Sect?

The idea seemed more plausible the longer he dwelled on it. A sense of foreboding settled over him, but he dared not show his concern. Keeping his composure, the Qingming Guard swiftly left the hall to carry out her orders and invite the delegation in.